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Documentary Filmmakers Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein: College Behind Bars

Thursday, September 19 | 7:00pm
The Commonwealth Club, 110 The Embarcadero

For 30 years, Lynn Novick has been directing and producing landmark documentary films about American culture, history, politics, sports, art and music, alongside co-director Ken Burns. Her new documentary series, College Behind Bars, reveals the transformative power of higher education through the experiences of men and women trying to earn college degrees while incarcerated. Executive produced by Ken Burns and produced by Sarah Botstein, College Behind Bars is Novick’s solo directorial debut and will premiere on KQED Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26 at 9pm.

Here’s a chance to get a preview of the PBS series and hear a discussion with the filmmakers and formerly incarcerated students featured in the film about the power of education to transform lives and benefit society at large.

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Homewreckers Book Launch with Reveal’s Aaron Glantz

Thursday, October 17, 2019 | 7:00pm
Books Inc. | 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

Peabody Award-winning radio, print and television journalist Aaron Glantz joins KQED Housing Affordability Editor Erika Aguilar for a discussion of systems of exploitation that have suffused the housing market and Glantz’s new book, Homewreckers: How a Gang of Wall Street Kingpins, Hedge Fund Magnates, Crooked Banks, and Vulture Capitalists Suckered Millions Out.

While millions of Americans suffered financial loss following the 2008 housing market collapse, tycoons pounced to seize thousands of homes. In Homewreckers, Glantz recounts how straightforward lending transformed into a morass of loosened regulation, suspect mortgage “products,” and predatory practices. Homewreckers exposes how figures in the Trump administration and personal orbit profited, while also weaving together the stories of those most ravaged by the housing crisis.

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An Evening with George Takei

Tuesday, Sept 24, 2019 | 6:30pm
Herbst Theater

Join the Commonwealth Club and host KQED’s Mina Kim for an evening with actor and activist George Takei, known around the world for his founding role in the acclaimed television series “Star Trek,” in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the Starship Enterprise. But Takei's story goes where few stories have gone before. From a childhood spent with his family wrongfully imprisoned in Japanese American internment camps during World War II to becoming one of the country's leading figures in the fight for social justice, LGBTQ rights and marriage equality, Takei remains a powerful voice on issues ranging from politics to pop culture.

Receive $10 off tickets at checkout!

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SPONSORED BY

Visit Santa Cruz County

Come out and play in Santa Cruz County this fall! Enter to win a Fall Let’s Cruz Getaway, including a two-night stay at the Seascape Beach Resort, a beach bonfire, a $75 gift certificate at Sanderlings restaurant, passes to Roaring Camp Railroads and a Craft Bar Experience at Annieglass Studios! Learn more at santacruz.org.

On Common Ground: Economic Inequality & the Future of Work

Thursday, October 10 | 6:00pm
SPUR Urban Center, 654 Mission Street

The promise of well-paying, meaningful employment grows more precarious for many with the rise of AI, automation, and the “gig economy." What will the future of a worker be? Will securing our economic future involve pushing for solutions like raising the minimum wage, adopting sustainable hiring practices, or considering a Universal Basic Income? Or, at the core, are we still undecided and divided on the value of work?

KQED's Mina Kim hosts Egon Terplan (Senior Advisor on Economic Development, California Governor's Office), Natalie Foster (Senior Fellow, Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative), Jed Kolko (Chief Economist, Indeed), to discuss the structural changes facing tomorrow's workforce and what we can do to ensure the dignity of workers and living wages for all.

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Benise Returns to the Bay Area!

September 28 | Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
October 5 | Heritage Theatre, Campbell

As seen on Dancing With The Stars and PBS. Guitar virtuoso Benise and cast return with a brand new show - FUEGO! Armed with his Spanish guitar, Benise and his Emmy award-winning international dance troupe takes us on a musical journey of Salsa, Flamenco, Tango, Waltz, Samba…and more! Benise's ‘FUEGO’ showcases classic songs from Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and The Eagles and combines them with Spanish guitar and Spanish dance.

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